Apparatus for placing tube stock mounted valves on aerosol containers

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for automatically applying tube stock mounted valves on aerosol containers. The apparatus comprises a sucking member gripping and lifting one valve at a time off of a valve feeding device, a tubular body lowering on the valve held by said member overlying its tube stock. A funnel-shaped element, on the major section end of which the lower end of the tubular body rests at the end of its downward stroke, and a rigid platform on which the containers rest with the inlet thereof just below the minor section end of the funnel element. After the tubular body has overlain the valve tube stock, also the valve retaining member lowers on said funnel element causing the tube stock to penetrate into the container and placing the valve on the inlet of said container. Then, said member and said tubular body move up again to rest position. Lowering and lifting movement of said member and said tubular body is pneumatically carried out by compressed air.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Giancarlo Giuflredl Milan. Italy |2l 1 App]. No. 803,577 l22] Filed Mar. 3, 1969 [45] Patented Sept. 14, l97l [7 3 Assignee Custer Technolognie Specinli S.p.A.

Mllan, Italy [32] Priority Jan. 2, 1969 [33] Italy I31 I 836362 l54| APPARATUS FOR PLACING TUBE STOCK MOUNTED VALVES ON AEROSOL CONTAINERS 9 Clalms, 9 Drawlng Figs.

152] [1.8. (It 29/2088 [5|] lnt.(1l 823p 19/04 [50] Field of Search .t 29/208 8, 208, 208 D, 2| 1 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,118,2[8 [H964 Gleaston et al 29/208 8 X 3,269,084 8/l966 Slieffel,.lr. 29/208BX Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney-Steinberg & Blake ABSTRACT: Apparatus for automatically applying tube stock mounted valves on aerosol containers. The apparatus comprises a sucking member gripping and lifting one valve at a time off of a valve feeding device, a tubular body lowering on the valve held by said member overlying its tube stock. A funnel-shaped element, on the major section end of which the lower end of the tubular body rests at the end ofits downward stroke, and a rigid platform on which the containers rest with the inlet lhereofjust below the minor section end of the funnel element. After the tubular body has overlain the valve tube stock, also the valve retaining member lowers on said funnel element causing the tube stock to penetrate into the container and placing the valve on the inlet of said containert Then, said member and said tubular body move up again to rest position. Lowering and lifting movement of said member and said tubular body is pneumatically carried out by compressed air.

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sum 2 or 4 INVENTOR MAMA/6L0 @lUfF/YPD/ Jam MBMQ ATT RNEYS PATENTED sin 4 ism SHEET 3 BF 4 a a rabi /Ill!!! 1 u VII/ll a I INVENTOR G/Mc/mo (Hui/WIN llama 5M8 ATTQRNE'Q APPARATUS FOR PLAClNG TUBE STOCK MOUNTED VALV l-IS ON AEROSOL CONTAINERS The present invention relates to an apparatus for placing valves on aerosol containers, the valves being carried on tube stocks.

As known, a dispensing valve is mounted on every aerosol container and carried in turn on the end of a tube stock which is inserted in the container and operates to cause the liquid, as withdrawn from the container adjacent the bottom thereof to reach the valve.

It is known that the tube stock, carrying the valve at one end thereof, is usually curved because of being cut from a continuous tube wound up to form a tube reel, with the result that the tube stock tends to retain the curvature of the tube on the reel. Moreover, the tube stock is preferably used as curved, so that its free end can be arranged at the edge between the sidewall and bottom of the container, thus allowing for a full dispensing of the liquid in the container.

The curvature of tube stock, on which said above-mentioned valve is carried, gives rise to substantial drawbacks when the valve has to be mounted onto a container and the tube stock introduced into such a container. These drawbacks are mainly due to the curvature of the tube stock, the free end of which is sidewise offset to the valve axis at a larger distance than the radius of the container inlet. On considering that the valves are mechanically mounted onto the containers by placing on a container inlet through a rectilinear movement, it will be readily understood that, because of curvature of the tube stock fast with the valve, the lower end of said tube stock and thus the whole tube stock may be not introduced into the container.

Accordingly, to position the valves on the containers, it is required to resort to the use such devices that will allow the free end of the tube stock fast with the valve to be introduced into the container inlet during valve-operating movement to the container.

Different types of apparatus and devices are known for mounting valves, as provided with tube stocks, on aerosol containcrs.

A common feature in these devices and apparatus is the capability thereof of gripping and holding by jaws or similar mechanical gripping members the valve and in the case also the tube stock and moving them to the container on which the valve is to be automatically mounted, the movement of the valve to the container inlet occurring under the influence of mechanical means, such as rotating cams urging the valvegripping device to the container inlet.

Many are the drawbacks in these known apparatus.

First, those consisting in that such mechanical gripping members may irreparably deform the valves and, should the valve not reach the container inlet at a correct attitude thereon, the valve and container may be damaged, due to the fact that the mechanical approaching device for the valve to the container violently operates on the valve, until said device has completed its approaching stroke. This is the reason why, when using the known mounting apparatus for valves on aerosol containers, a substantial waste of finished containers is found.

A further drawback in known apparatus is the need of replacing whole parts of the apparatus, which is a substantial waste of time, where containers of different heights are to,be used and valves of different shapes and sizes are to be mounted on the containers.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for removing the above-mentioned drawbacks.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus, wherein the valves to be mounted on the aerosol container inlets are held by a pneumatic-gripping device, not exerting any deforming effect on the valves.

A further object is to provide an apparatus, wherein said gripping device is adapted to hold valves of different shapes and sizes.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus, wherein the movement of the valve to the container inlet occurs under lllt action of a pressuriled Hind, it n "lllt' allowing to prrss "it valve on the container iiilct by it predetermined pirmiir A Ml" l'urtliei' ulijecl is to provide .iii it|t|i.it.ilt|\, Wllt It llt means are provided for introducing into a container inlt-t lllt end of a tube stock, at the other end of which the valve is mounted and placed on the container inlet.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus to he used without replacing any parts and suitable, after accomplishing some very ready and easy operations, for valve mounting on different size and height containers.

These and still other objects are attained by an apparatus comprising a bearing platform for the containers, a hollow element overlying said platform and a device overlying said hollow element and movable thereto, said hollow element being substantially in the form of a funnel, the minor area end of which is facing said platform and is resiliently deformable to vary its sizes, said device comprising a tubular body, the cross section area of which is substantially the same as the major area of said funnel, and an elongate body accommodated and movable within said tubular body, the end of said elongate body facing said platform being shaped to form a housing seat for the valves, said seat communicating with means for vacuum generation, means being provided which are selectively operable to displace under the action of a pressurized fluid said tubular body and said elongate body, respectively, to said platform, and means which are selectively operable to move said tubular body and said elongate body, respectively, away from said platform.

In order that the apparatus structure and features be more clearly understood, two embodiments thereof will now be described, as given by mere way of nonrestrictivc example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which;

FIGS. 1-3 show a fragmentary and partly sectioned view of the apparatus at different stages of the apparatus operation;

FIGS. 4-6 are longitudinal sections of the apparatus at other stages of its operative cycle;

FIGS. 7 and B are diagrammatic sectional views ofa valve at two different operation positions; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view for an embodiment of the apparatus differing from that as shown in FIGS. 1-6.

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1-6, wherein a preferred embodiment of the apparatus is shown.

The apparatus comprises a fixed frame, not shown in the drawings, a bearing platform I for containers 2, a hollow element 3 overlying platform 1, and a device, designated as a whole at 4, being fast therewith (FlG. 1)v

Hollow element 3 comprises a fixed portion 5, two thin plates 6 being hinged thereto adjacent the upper end thereof, the internal surface of which defines a funnel-shaped cavity, the minor area end of the funnel facing said platform I The sizes of the minor area end of the funnel, as defined by small plates 6, are substantially the same as, but however not larger than the inlet of container 2 bearing on platform 1 and placed below said hollow element 3. Springs 7 are operative on the outer surface of thin plates 6 and urge the latter to a close relationship position, Le. to the position as shown in FIGS. 1-6, the springs allowing said thin plates 6 to move away from each other, that is allowing the funnel as defined by the thin plates to resiliently deform in order to vary its dimensions.

While platform 1 is fast with the abovcmentioned fixed frame, fixed portion 5 and thus hollow element 3 are carried by said fixed frame so as to vary the spacing thereof relative to platform I: the means by which said hollow element 3 can be carried by the fixed frame so as to vary its spacing relative to platform 1, can be carried out in different ways as apparent to those skilled in the art and, therefore, will not be here described in detail for sake of simplicity and brevity.

Device 4 comprises a hollow cylinder 8 carried by the fixed frame of the apparatus by means of a fixed arm 9. A tubular body 10 is accommodated and movable within cylinder 8 and the cross section area of which is the same as the major area for the funnel defined by thin plates 6 in hollow element 3.

The lower end of tubular body I emerges from the lower end of cylinder 8 through a hole, at which sealing means II are provided (FIGS. 4-6), whereas the upper end of said tubular body I0 is shaped to form a first piston 12, sealingly movable within the cavity of cylinder 8. An elongate body 13 is ac commodatcd and movable within said tubular body 10, the lower end I4 of body I3 facing said platform 1 and forming a housing seat for a valve which is mounted on a tube stock 16, the latter being designed to be introduced into container 2 and valve I5 being designed to be mounted on the inlet of said container 2. Said elongate body 13 passes through and is movable within a hole in the first piston 12 and at which said sealing means are provided, the lower end of the elongate body emerging from the lower end of tubular body I0, the upper end of elongate body 13 being shaped to form a second piston 17 movable within said hollow cylinder 8. Cavity of cylinder 8 is divided by pistons I2 and 17 into a cavity at the bottom of piston 12, an intermediate cavity 19 between piston l2 and piston l7, and a cavity 20 at the top of piston 17.

As it can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, the free surface of piston 12 facing cavity 18 is smaller than the free surface of said piston 12 facing cavity I9 under the conditions where piston I2 and piston I7 are at a maximum approaching position to each other.

From FIGS. 4-6, it is also seen that piston 17 is passed through by a plurality of holes putting cavity I9 in communication with cavity 20 and a cylindrical extension 2] upwards extend from the upper surface of said piston 17, the cross section of this extension 21 being larger than of elongate body 13 adjacent piston 17. Extension 2I can be accommodated and is movable within a cylindrical seat 22 (FIG. 5) in cylinder 8 at the upper end thereof; at the top, said cylindrical seat 22 has a step forming a stop member for confining the movement of extension 21 within said seat to define an end chamber 23 between the upper surface of the extension and cylindrical seat, when said extension is accommodated within said cylindrical seat (FIGS. 4 and 6).

The housing seat for the valves at the lower end I4 of elongate body I3 communicates through a hole in said elongate body I3 with the cavity of a rigid conduit 24 passing through a hole in the upper end of cylinder 8 from which said conduit 24 emerges. Conduit 24 is connected to the suction inlet of a compressor (not shown for the sake of simplicity in the drawings), by which a continuous vacuum is maintained within conduit 24 and hence within the housing seat for the valves in the end I4 of said elongate body 13, so that, after all, a continuous air suction is provided at said housing seat.

The apparatus also includes a pressurized fluid source, schematically shown at 25 in the drawings, in this embodiment said source comprising a compressor continuously supplying pressurized air to the lower chamber 18 via a tube 26 and a valve 27 through a tube 28. Valve 27 communicates with the upper cavity 20 through a tube 29 and with a valve through a tube 31, in turn valve 30 communicating with the end chamber 23 through a tube 32.

Valve 27 is operable by a lever 33 which, under the conditions as shown in FIGS. I-3 and 6, closes the passage of compressed air from tube 28 to tubes 29 and 3], whereas at the position of lever 33 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. valve 27 allows tube 28 to communicate with tubes 29 and 31.

Valve 30 is quite similar to valve 27 and is also operable by a lever 34, providing for communication between tubes 31 and 32 only under the conditions thereof, as shown in FIG. 5, when said lever is intercepted and kept at a pressed condition by tubular body I0.

Valves 2'7 and 30 are of the type as shown in sectional view in FIGS. 7 and 8 and comprise, as seen therein, a rigid body 35, wherein a stem 36 is displaceable, two pistons 37 and 38 being respectively fast therewith, an end of stem 36 projecting from valve body and bearing on a lever pivoted to said valve body 35, as clearly seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. Three holes 39, 40 and 4! are formed in valve body 35. At the position in FIG. 7, hole 40 communicates with hole 4|, whereas at the conditions in FIG. 8 hole 40 communicates with hole 39.

In one embodiment of the apparatus, platform I, hollow element 3, and fixed arm 9 carrying device 4, are carried by a frame continuously rotating about a vertical axis.

The apparatus operates by subsequent steps being accomplished at subsequent stations during rotational movement of the apparatus about said vertical axis.

At a first station (FIG. 1), loading operation is carried out automatically and by means per se well known in the art for a container 2 below the lower end of thin plates 6 of a hollow element 3, above which a device 4 is located.

At this first station, a guide 42 extends between said hollow element 3 and device 4, a plurality of valves I5 fast with curved tube stocks I6 bearing on said guide 42, a detent being provided for arresting the first of the valve sequence below the lower end 14 of elongate body 13, and means being provided for intermittently feeding the valve sequence whenever the first of said valve sequence is withdrawn by device 4 at the first station, as explained below. The means for arranging valves I5 one at a time below said elongate body I3 can be differently and readily made: many of such means are well known and, therefore, are not particularly described herein for sake of brevity and simplicity, all the more so because such means do not form an integrating part of the present invention.

It should now be promised that the various parts forming said device 4 are arranged to one another at the same position thereof as shown in FIGv 6 and also in each of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

The apparatus comprises a fixed cam, on which the end (not shown) of fixed arm 9 abuts. At the first station, said fixed cam operates on arm 9, mechanically lowering the whole device 4 to guide 42, until the lower edge of the housing seat in the lower end 14 of elongate body 13 contacts the cup 43 of the valve bearing on guide 42. Due to suction effect within said housing seat of elongate body 13, cup 43 adheres to the lower edge of said seat.

Rotation of platform 1, hollow element 3 and device 4 about said vertical axis being continued, fixed arm 9 will be clear of the cam which previously had urged it downwards, and said device 4 will be brought back to a lifted position clear of hollow element 3, to a second station where said guide 42 is no longer present (FIG. 3).

In addition to the above-mentioned fixed cam, which operates an arm 9 to lower it to hollow element 3, the apparatus also comprises a further fixed cam, the schematic development of which is shown in FIGS. 1-6 and designated at 44. In the steps, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, said cam 44 acted upon by lever 33 of valve 27 keeps the latter at a closed position, i.e. at the position as shown in FIG. 7, whereat no direct communication is established between tube 28 and tubes 29 and 3], tubes 29 and 31 communicating with the atmosphere through hole 41 in valve body 35.

Still under the conditions as shown in FIGS, 1-3 and 6, compressor 25 supplies pressurized air through tube 26 to the lower cavity I8, thus keeping the first piston 12, and the second piston 17 therewith, as urged upwards with respect to cylinder 8, as the intermediate cavity 19 and upper cavity 20 communicate with the atmosphere.

Rotation of platform I, hollow element 3, device 4, valve 27 with its lever 33, and valve 30 with its lever .34 being con' tinued, a step is attained at which said lever 33 is lifted out of fixed cam 44 (FIG. 4). At this step, valve 27 opens, i.e. tube 28 communicates with tubes 29 and 3i. Initially, compressed air cannot pass from tube 3I to tube 32, since the passage is prevented by valve 30 which is at the valve position as shown in FIG. 7, whereas said compressed air can be directly supplied into the upper cavity 20 and therefrom into the intermediate cavity I9 through the holes in the second piston I7. The pressure air within intermediate cavity I9 causes a fast lowering of piston 12 and tubular body 10 therewith to said hollow element 3, whereas piston 17 and elongate body I3 therewith remain at a lifted position, such as shown in FIG. 4, since the surface of piston l7 facing said intermediate cavity 19 is larger than the surface of said piston facing the upper cavity 20 and, therefore, the air pressure results in a force having an upward directed resultant and applied to piston 17.

Lowering movement of piston [2 being continued, at some point the tubular body 10 will intercept lever 34 of valve 30 and press it, thus opening said valve 30 and connecting tube 3] with tube 32.

When valve 30 has opened or taken the position as shown in FIG. 8, the pressure air reaches the end chamber 23 through tubes 31 and 32 and causes a fast lowering of piston 17 and elongate body 13 as a result of the sum for surfaces of piston 17 facing the upper cavity 20 and extension 21 facing said end chamber 23 being greater the surface of piston 17 facing the intermediate cavity 19, so that under these circumstances a downward force will act upon said elongate body 13, causing it to move to the hollow element 3. n approaching said hollow element 3, the tubular body overlies the tube stock 16 causing a partial straightening thereof.

When under the action of compressed air said elongate body 13 lowers as above-described the tube stock 16 is caused to slide within the tubular body 10 and, as a result, within the funnel defined by thin plates 6, this lowering movement being continued until the valve cup 43 has passed beyond the lower end of thin plates 6, after having moved them away from each other against the reaction of springs 7. When the valve cup 43, still supported at the lower end 14 of said elongate body 13, has passed beyond the lower end of thin plates 6, the latter reclose due to springs 7 on the outer surface of the lower end 14 of body 13, the cross section of which is smaller than the maximum cross section of cup 43. Under these circumstances, the apparatus is at the position as shown in H0. 5.

The rotary motion of platform 1, hollow element 3 and device 4 being continued about said vertical axis, said cam 44 will no longer act upon lever 33 of valve 27, so that the latter will close and connect tubes 29 and 31 with the atmosphere, causing said pistons 12 and 17 to be upward moved back, i.e. to the position as shown in FIG. 6.

During the first upward movement stage of elongate body 13, the lower ends of thin plates 6 of the hollow funnel element abut on the upper surface of valve cup 43, causing it to be separated from the lower end 14 of elongate body which, therefore, can move up again above said hollow element 3 to reach the rest position in FIG. 6. As soon as the tubular body [0 is disengaged from lever 34 of valve 30, the latter will connect tube 32 and hence the end chamber 23 with the atmosphere.

The apparatus above-described can be used for mounting valves as provided with curved tube stocks on different height containers, for this purpose it being sufficient to vary only the distance of the hollow element 3 from the container bearing platform 1, which can be very simply and readily done. The lowering stroke of tubular body 10 and elongate body 13 automatically accommodates the distance between hollow element 3 and platform 1 as being provided only by air pressure supply to the upper cavity 20 and end chamber 23.

Obviously, the above-described apparatus can be carried on a rigid frame instead of being mounted on a fixed frame rotating about a stationary vertical axis, cam 44 and that cam which acts upon arm 9 being movable relatively to the former frame, in this case means being provided for placing one valve at a time below the end 14 of elongate body 13 and for introducing and then removing one container 2 at a time from below said hollow element 3.

It is also apparent that suction inside of elongate body 13 can be automatically cut off when said elongate body places a valve 15 on the inlet of a container 2.

A different embodiments of the apparatus is shown in FIG. 9, wherein for the sake of evidence the same reference numerals, as previously, are used for indicating bearing platform 1 for containers 2, hollow element 3 with thin plates 6 as urged by springs 7 and guide 42, a cup 43 of a valve mounted on a curved tube stock 16 bearing on said guide 42. The embodi ment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9 differs from that in FIGS. 1-6 in that the device for withdrawing the valves from guide 42, straightening the tube stock to, introducing the latter into the container 2, and placing the valve on the inlet of container 2, is of a somewhat simplified structure with respect to that as previously described.

Thus, this device comprises only one tubular body 45, wherein an elongate body 46 is accommodated and freely slidable, the lower end 47 of body 46 being fully similarly shaped as the lower end 14 of elongate body 13 previously described. The valve housing seat at the end 47 of elongate body 46 communicates with a sucking device (not shown in the drawings) through a hole in body 46 and a tube 48. Elongate body 46 is supported by a fixed arm 49, in turn fast with stem 50 of a piston 51 movable within a cylinder 52, into which pressure oil can be introduced above or, selectively, below said piston S 1.

Similarly, tubular body 45 is supported by a fixed arm 53 fast with stem 54 of a piston 55 movable within a cylinder 56, wherein pressure oil can be selectively introduced above or below said piston 55.

Both cylinders 52 and 56 are fast with a fixed frame 57 forming a single unit with platform l.

in order to withdraw the valve from guide 42, pressure oil is introduced above piston SI and then, after lower end 47 of elongate body 46 contacts valve cup 43, pressure oil is introduced below piston 51, so that the latter is caused to be lifted and moved away from the end 47 of body 46 and valve therewith with its tube stock from guide 42.

At a next operative step, still by controlled introduction of pressure oil into cylinders 52 or 56, tubular body 45 is caused to lower and to overlie tube stock 16 which is partially straightened, and then elongate body 46 is lowered, tube stock 16 is introduced into container 2, and valve cup 43 is applied on the inlet of container 2, in a way fully similar to fliat as previously described. The return of bodies 45 and 46 to their rest position as shown in FIG. 9 occurs by introducing pressure oil below pistons 55 and 51, respectively.

From the foregoing description, it will be clearly understood how valves of widely different shapes and sizes can be withdrawn from said elongate bodies 13 and 46 without any risk of being damaged and tube stocks 16 substantially curved can be introduced into also narrow inlet containers, the positioning of a valve onto a container inlet being effected by a constant predetermined pressure, such as to never damage either the valve or the container.

it is also apparent that the apparatus is readily adaptable for mounting valves onto different height containers, as at rest conditions the distance between platform l and elongate body need not to be varied, it being sufficient to vary only the distance between hollow element 3 and platform 1, without acting upon the other mechanical parts forming the apparatus.

lclaim:

1. An apparatus for placing tube stock mounted valves on aerosol containers, comprising a container bearing platform, a hollow element overlying said platform and a device overlying said hollow element and movable with respect thereto, said hollow element being substantially in the form of a funnel, the minor area end of which faces said platform and said funnel being resiliently deformable to vary its size, said device including a tubular body, the cross section area of which is substantially the same as the major area of said funnel, and an clon gate body accommodated and movable within said tubular body, the end of said elongate body facing said platform being shaped to provide a housing seat for said valves, suction means communicating with said seat for retaining a valve housed therein, fluid-pressure means operatively connected to said tubular body and said elongate body, respectively, for moving them toward said platform and moving means operatively con nected to said tubular body and said elongate body, respectively, for moving them away from said platform.

2. An apparatus according to claim I, wherein said moving means for moving said tubular body and said elongate body, respectively, away from said platform, also is a fluid pressure means.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said tubular body is movable within a hollow cylinder, the lower end of said tubular body projects from the lower end of said hollow cylinder through a hole at which sealing means are provided and the upper end of said tubular body is shaped to form a first piston sealingly movable within the cylinder cavity, the lower end of said elongate body faces said platform, said elongate body passes through and is movable within a hole, at which sealing means are provided, in said first piston, and the upper end of said elongate body is shaped to provide a second piston movable within said hollow cylinder, the cavity of said cylinder being divided into a cavity at the bottom of said first piston, an intermediate cavity between said first and second pistons, and a cavity at the top of said second piston, the free surface of the first piston facing the lower cavity being smaller than the free surface of said first piston facing said intermediate cavity under the conditions wherein said first and second pistons are at a maximum close position to each other, said second piston being passed through by at least one hole communicating said intermediate cavity with said upper cavity, a cylindrical extension upwardly extending from the upper surface of said second piston, the cross section of said extension being larger than that of said elongate body adjacent said second piston, said extension being housable and movable within a cylindrical seat in said cylinder at the upper end thereof, stop elements being provided for limiting the displacement of said extension within said seat and providing for an end chamber between the upper surface of said extension and said cylindrical seat when said extension is accommodated within said cylindrical seat, a source of pressure fluid being provided, by which said lower cavity is directly connected, and said upper cavity and said end chamber, respectively, are connected by operating said fluid pressure means.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said valve housing seat in said elongate body communicates with said suction means through a hole extending within said elongate body and a tube, at least one portion of which is rigid and passes through a hole in said cylinder at the upper end thereof.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said cylinder is carried by a fixed arm, on which means operate for selectively lifting and lowering said arm relative to said hollow funnel element.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means for selectively lifting and lowering said fixed arm are cams.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said fixed arm and said hollow funnel element are carried by a fixcd frame and means are provided to adjust the distance of said hollow funnel element from said platform.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein means are provided for placing said valves, provided with tube stocks, one at a time between said hollow funnel element and the lower end of said elongate body.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said hollow funnel element comprises a rigid portion, at least two thin plates being hinged thereto at the upper end thereof, the inner surface of said thin plates defining said funnel-shaped cavity, spring means acting upon the outer surface of the thin plates urging them to a close position to each other. 

1. An apparatus for placing tube stock mounted valves on aerosol containers, comprising a container bearing platform, a hollow element overlying said platform and a device overlying said hollow element and movable with respect thereto, said hollow element being substantially in the form of a funnel, the minor area end of which faces said platform and said funnel being resiliently deformable to vary its size, said device including a tubular body, the cross section area of which is substantially the same as the major area of said funnel, and an elongate body accommodated and movable within said tubular body, the end of said elongate body facing said platform being shaped to provide a housing seat for said valves, suction means communicating with said seat for retaining a valve housed therein, fluid-pressure means operatively connected to said tubular body and said elongate body, respectively, for moving them toward said platform and moving means operatively connected to said tubular body and said elongate body, respectively, for moving them away from said platform.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said moving means for moving said tubular body and said elongate body, respectively, away from said platform, also is a fluid pressure means.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said tubular body is movable within a hollow cylinder, the lower end of said tubular body projects from the lower end of said hollow cylinder through a hole at which sealing means are provided and the upper end of said tubular body is shaped to form a first piston sealingly movable within the cylinder cavity, the lower end of said elongate body faces said platform, said elongate body passes through and is movable within a hole, at which sealing means are provided, in said first piston, and the upper end of said elongate body is shaped to provide a second piston movable within said hollow cylinder, the cavity of said cylinder being divided into a cavity at the bottom of said first piston, an intermediate cavity between said first and second pistons, and a cavity at the top of said second piston, the free surface of the first piston facing the lower cavity being smaller than the free surface of said first piston facing said intermediate cavity under the conditions wherein said first and second pistons are at a maximum close position to each other, said second piston being passed through by at least one hole communicating said intermediate cavity with said upper cavity, a cylindrical extension upwardly extending from the upper surface of said second piston, the cross section of said extension being larger than that of said elongate body adjacent said second piston, sAid extension being housable and movable within a cylindrical seat in said cylinder at the upper end thereof, stop elements being provided for limiting the displacement of said extension within said seat and providing for an end chamber between the upper surface of said extension and said cylindrical seat when said extension is accommodated within said cylindrical seat, a source of pressure fluid being provided, by which said lower cavity is directly connected, and said upper cavity and said end chamber, respectively, are connected by operating said fluid pressure means.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said valve housing seat in said elongate body communicates with said suction means through a hole extending within said elongate body and a tube, at least one portion of which is rigid and passes through a hole in said cylinder at the upper end thereof.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said cylinder is carried by a fixed arm, on which means operate for selectively lifting and lowering said arm relative to said hollow funnel element.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means for selectively lifting and lowering said fixed arm are cams.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said fixed arm and said hollow funnel element are carried by a fixed frame and means are provided to adjust the distance of said hollow funnel element from said platform.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein means are provided for placing said valves, provided with tube stocks, one at a time between said hollow funnel element and the lower end of said elongate body.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said hollow funnel element comprises a rigid portion, at least two thin plates being hinged thereto at the upper end thereof, the inner surface of said thin plates defining said funnel-shaped cavity, spring means acting upon the outer surface of the thin plates urging them to a close position to each other. 